NEW YORK, Feb. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- N4XT Experiences announced today a multi-season partnership with SAP to advance the digital, retail, and experiential infrastructure supporting New York Fashion Week and N4XT’s newly launched NYFW Collections. As the global fashion industry continues to explore how to integrate technology and AI-enabled innovation in ways that deliver real value to designers, N4XT Experiences is taking a tangible step in delivering that next chapter. This February and for the upco ...

Walmart’s new CEO John Furner could be called a retailer gunslinger. He’s not afraid to take risks, and as he works through his first week replacing former CEO Doug McMillon, he may be starting a tenure that takes more risks than anyone in the retailer’s history.In his first companywide memo as CEO, Furner said on Monday he plans to spend his first few weeks in stores, supply chain facilities and support offices, where he will speak directly with workers. He also had one “simple ask” for all Walmart employe ...

Core Insights - Instacart is witnessing a growing trend among independent grocers in the U.S. adopting its enterprise technology solutions to enhance customer experience both in-store and online [1][2] Group 1: Adoption of Technology - Independent grocers are increasingly investing in technologies like Caper Carts, FoodStorm, and Storefront Pro to provide a seamless shopping experience [1][2] - The number of stores using Caper Carts has nearly tripled over the past year, now spanning nearly 100 cities across 15 states [4] - FoodStorm has seen adoption in over 3,000 stores in North America, more than doubling since the end of 2024 [7] Group 2: Customer Experience Enhancement - Caper Carts allow customers to track spending and check out directly on the cart, leading to improved customer engagement and coupon redemption [3][4] - Retailers using Caper Carts report that 40% of customers redeem discounts presented on the smart cart, with over half using at least one coupon during checkout [3] - Storefront Pro enables grocers to create a fully branded online shopping experience, integrating features like weekly ads and AI-powered personalization [8][9] Group 3: Operational Efficiency - FoodStorm enhances back-of-house efficiency for grocers like Luke's Local Grocery, allowing real-time handling of made-to-order food without sacrificing quality [5][6] - Instacart's enterprise solutions help retailers streamline workflows, drive sales, and offer personalized shopping experiences [10]

Economic Performance - In the first half of 2025, Guangzhou's economic performance improved compared to 2024, with positive trends in exports and retail sales [2] - From January to May 2025, Guangzhou's total retail sales reached 469.994 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.1% [3] Retail Innovation - Guangzhou has been recognized as a pilot city for retail innovation, supported by its strong commercial heritage and a large young population, with 1.68 million university students in 2024 [3] - The city is seeing significant investment in new commercial projects from leading operators like Swire, China Resources, and K11, enhancing the retail landscape [3] Shopping Center Upgrades - In 2026, Guangzhou will mark the fifth year of its initiative to build an international consumption center, with major shopping centers undergoing significant renovations to enhance competitiveness [4] - The focus of these upgrades is shifting from product-centered to consumer-centered experiences, emphasizing emotional value and spatial experience [4] Market Supply and Demand - In the second quarter, Guangzhou saw the addition of two community commercial projects, totaling 213,000 square meters, marking an 8.1% increase compared to the total supply in 2024 [5] - Retail property leasing activity is increasing, particularly in supermarkets and department stores, with notable changes in store formats and offerings [5] Rental Trends - In the first half of 2025, new retail brand leases accounted for 43% of total transactions, followed by dining (41%) and experiential formats (15%) [6] - Retail property rents in Guangzhou continued to decline, with a quarterly drop of 2.5% and a cumulative decrease of 3.6% in the first half of 2025, averaging 21.9 yuan per square meter per day [6] Future Developments - Four new retail projects, totaling approximately 300,000 square meters, are expected to enter the market in the second half of 2025, with a trend towards light asset operations [6]